14/09/2023
Hari Singh ji Nalwa
At a young age, while on a hunting trip, he was attacked by a tiger. With his bare hands, he pushed back the tiger, drew his sword and decapitated the beast.
He was also known for his excellent swordsmanship, and his father had been serving Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s army. So after the incident, he was given a small army of horsemen and Nalwa’s career as a General started.
Hari Singh ji participated in many conquests. He defeated the Afghans and blocked off the Khyber Pass (which was also used by invaders and plunderers).
In a conversation amongst the warriors of Afghanistan, there was discussion on how a Punjabi Sardar has defeated them on their own turf. Among them was a very young and beautiful Muslim woman named Bano who was fascinated by their conversation and wanted to meet this sardar.
One night she visited Hari Singh ji in his camp, and upon entering she saw Hari Singh Nalwa as the viewer sees him in the painting. She greeted him and expressed her desire to have a son like him. She asked him to sleep with her to give her such a son.
Upon hearing this, Hari Singh ji asked her to leave. As Bano turned to leave, she muttered, “and here I thought no one ever leaves the house of Nanak empty-handed; I was wrong.”
Hari Singh Nalwa called forth one of his guards to place a shawl over Bano’s head. Hari Singh ji then stepped forth, standing in front of Bano, he said, “Bano, you were looking for a son like me?” He touched her feet and said “From now I am your son.”